A Lifetime Love of Movies…

The cinema and movies has always been a source of enjoyment and employment. After leaving college, my first job was with Kerridge Odeon, a film distributor in Auckland, New Zealand. This provided the ideal start for my working life and, unknown to me at the time, the ideal introduction into my own movie distribution company much later.

Like most young fellows of my vintage, the yearning for change and “something better” saw me take up different opportunities as they presented. The next few years after leaving Kerridge Odeon saw me working as a sales cadet for a major engineering supply company, before becoming Sales Manager for a smaller company, also in the Engineering field.

Life was good and getting even better.

After becoming a husband to my life partner, Sherrie, a bonny New Zealand lass, and later a father, my career path changed yet again and I became a self-employed Insurance Agent for AMP, selling Life, Super, Fire and General insurance.

In 1978, as a family, we left New Zealand to live in Queensland, Australia.

Yes, this move prompted another career change, still in the sales area - I became Sales Manager for a home builder, selling family homes and assisting with finance. This led to an interest in and passion for property development and a few years later, along with Sherrie, we started our own property development company. I am a member of the Australian Institute of Construction (MAIC).

Our development business prospered yet we were always seeking new opportunities and the booming home entertainment industry and movie rental explosion provided the inspiration. In 1991, Eagle Entertainment (Aust) Pty Ltd, a film distribution company, a family business, was born.

Today, one of my sons is running Eagle Entertainment and my time is spent between the property business and the film business.

My life is blessed; whilst we lost my beloved wife and mum of our kids last year after a long illness, I enjoy the love and support of 4 children and 6 grandchildren. And with all the travelling Sherrie and l did over the years, mainly in the Film Industry, I cherish a wonderful circle of friends in many countries.

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Stefano Dammicco was the founder and CEO of Eagle Pictures S.p.A. until 2007. Under his leadership, Eagle Pictures produced an impressive series of box-office hits including Save the Last Dance, Along Came a Spider, Chocolat, Tomb Raider, CSI (TV series), The Passion of Christ, Memoirs of a Geisha, The Interpreter, Apocalypto and Eastern Promises to name a few. Stefano has worked with major the US studios and independent distributors and producers all over the world.

Stefano has got four sons and lives in Milan with his wife Verena and Thomas, the littlest son.

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When I was about 7 or 8 years old, happily growing up as an only child in a loving, television-free family home on the outskirts of Cologne, Germany, one day a cute big eyed, snub-nosed something crossed my path – it was a deer called Bambi…

I’ll never forget that first visit to the local cinema – a true movie palace with a hugely impressive mezzanine and ‘70s state-of-the-art projection and sound. As the auditorium was filling up, the usher kept sending people towards my seat – not realizing it had already been taken by the tiny little kid I was back then. Seventy minutes and quite a few tears later I had lost touch with reality, falling prey to the magnetic attraction of movie magic.

Ever since that day, I spent hours after hours at the movies, after school and on the weekends, fighting a personal campaign against German rating laws – while “officially” enjoying marathon bike tours through the countryside. More than once did I risk getting busted when returning home late for dinner – due to unexpected extended running times.

Today, after more than two decades in the movie and TV business and thousands of movies (and, yes, TV shows) later, there are still only very few things that can lure me away from the screen, whether big or small: a spicy Chicken Tikka Masala, a brilliant bluegrass album, a date with Rachael Leigh Cook – or my two wonderful sons, themselves on the verge of becoming true movie buffs.

I wonder why… ;-)

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Welcome to The American Film Market® website!

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Employment Opportunities

Each year, it takes more than 300 people to produce the American Film Market, the world’s largest motion picture trade event. Looking for a fun, challenging job? Come join the AFM staff! AFM 2015 will take place November 4 – 11, 2015.

Applications are now being accepted for the following positions:

Administrative Assistants

(Accounting, Registration, Screenings & Hotels)

Job Description: Data entry, filing, answering high volume of phone calls and responding to multiple e-mails. These administrative positions will assist in the Registration, Equipment, Screenings and Hotel departments.

Requirements: Excellent computer skills (Word, Excel and Outlook), and ability to quickly master new software. Must be energetic, detail-oriented, extremely organized and able to multi-task.

Duration: Positions start between June and September and end in November/December.

Receptionists

Job Description: Answering high volume of phone calls and transferring them to the proper departments; logging parking validations, supervising courier and messenger services and greeting guests.

Requirements: Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment. Being punctual, upbeat and energetic is key.

Duration: Positions start in September and October and end in November.

Application Procedure for the above positions: Fax or mail your resume now (indicating the position for which you are applying) to Portia McGrew, IFTA, 10850 Wilshire Blvd., 9th floor, Los Angeles, CA 90024-4321. Fax: 310-446-1600. NO CALLS PLEASE!

Theatre Staff

Job Description: Greeting attendees at the door of the theater, checking for proper badges and ensuring attendees are directed to their desired film. Checking for technical problems periodically during the screenings. Helping lost or confused guests. Putting up poster marquees, screening schedules and screening boards. Helping the theater coordinators with prints. Removing AFM signage after the screenings.

Requirements: Must be highly energetic, have a positive attitude and be enthusiastic about working with people. Good head for trouble shooting. Must also be proactive, a good listener and able to follow directions.

Duration: Positions start September/October and end in November.

Application procedure for Theater and Registration staff: Telephone Leah at ACT-I - 310-981-0111. Please specify that you are calling about AFM 2015. Note: You must be available for an interview in Los Angeles on Tuesday, October 20 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.